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Erenumab in the prophylaxis of migraine: a profile of its use

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Abstract

Erenumab (Aimovig®, erenumab-aooe), a fully human monoclonal antibody (MAb) calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, is the first MAb approved for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults. Erenumab is subcutaneously administered and has a convenient once-monthly/every-4-week dosing regimen. In patients with episodic or chronic migraine, erenumab is effective and generally well tolerated, significantly reducing the frequency of migraines and the use of migraine-specific medications during weeks 9–12 and months 4–6 relative to placebo. Erenumab also displays efficacy in numerous subgroup analyses, including in patients with episodic or chronic migraine with prior prophylactic treatment failure and/or patients with a history of aura. Although the efficacy and tolerability profiles of erenumab remain to be determined in specific populations (for example, in patients with major cardiovascular disease), it is a promising candidate for alleviating the widespread personal, societal and economic burdens that are presently associated with migraine.

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Acknowledgements

The manuscript was reviewed by: H.-C. Diener, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; J. de Hoon, Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. During the peer review process, Amgen Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, the marketing-authorization holders of erenumab (Aimovig®), were also offered an opportunity to provide a scientific accuracy review of their data. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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    Emma H. McCafferty & Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson

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  1. Emma H. McCafferty
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Correspondence to Emma H. McCafferty.

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E.H. McCafferty and K.A. Lyseng-Williamson are employees of Adis, are responsible for the article content and declare no conflicts of interest.

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McCafferty, E.H., Lyseng-Williamson, K.A. Erenumab in the prophylaxis of migraine: a profile of its use. Drugs Ther Perspect 35, 13–20 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-018-0589-9

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